Unraveling Hope, Waiting, and Existence: A Review of Three Poems by Anna Keiko

Anna Keiko, a renowned poet from Shanghai, China, has carved a distinct presence in the world of contemporary poetry. Her works blend delicate imagination, emotional depth, and reflective philosophical touches. In her three poems—Dawn of Hope, Waiting for the Bus, and An Empty Glass—Anna Keiko invites readers to contemplate love, hope, waiting, and the essence of human existence in a quiet yet stirring way.

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Dawn of Hope: Love as a Source of Light

Dawn of Hope offers a spiritual experience of love. Anna Keiko personifies time as something that flows endlessly, creating a contrast between the human desire to pause it and the unrelenting reality of its progression. Expressions like “like an image captured by a camera lens” symbolize the longing to preserve meaningful moments.

The heart of the poem lies in its portrayal of love as a transformative energy. Love warms the world and fills it with hope: “two hearts find a home full of gentleness.” The image of dawn not only signals the morning but also symbolizes the rebirth of hope after a long night. With a gentle yet firm poetic voice, Anna conveys the message that love can be a guiding light in darkness, a driving force that illuminates life.

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Waiting for the Bus: An Existential Narrative Amid Life’s Absurdities

In Waiting for the Bus, Anna Keiko places her lyrical persona in a seemingly ordinary situation—waiting for a bus. Yet this simple setting transforms into an existential metaphor for endless waiting and uncertain direction in life. The line “no bus takes me to where I want to go” implies the alienation of humans in a world that keeps moving, yet often fails to meet their deepest needs.

The repetition of “waiting” and the soft description of seasonal changes (from winter to spring) intensify the sense of stagnation. A city that “has slept for thousands of years” portrays an indifferent world, while “a few stars still awake” become symbols of the small hope that remains.

This poem is a portrait of silence within the crowd, a waiting that defies definition, and a search for meaning in a fast yet empty life. Anna prompts readers to reflect on the direction of their journey—are we truly heading where we want to go, or are we merely moving without purpose?

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An Empty Glass: Fragile and Mysterious Existence

An Empty Glass reveals a more philosophical and metaphysical side of Anna Keiko’s poetry. A glass once filled with spring water and now suddenly empty becomes a symbol of impermanence and the mystery of existence. Questions such as “Is existence just a glass of water?” and “Is my mind trapped in the glass?” express human doubt about visible reality.

This poem touches on the concepts of time, identity, and the boundary between thought and reality. With a minimalist yet profound style, Anna presents metaphors that stimulate the intellect and challenge the reader to reconsider the meaning of presence and change. Rather than providing clear answers, she offers space for deep contemplation.

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A Lyrical Voice that Touches the Soul’s Edge

In these three poems, Anna Keiko conveys that the human inner world is a realm rich in meaning and silence. She weaves words with precision and honesty, blending personal nuances with universal reflection. Love, waiting, and existence are not merely themes, but vital pulses that breathe life into her poetry.

Keiko is not just a poet; she is a keeper of light who gently guides readers through the darkness. Her poems do not explode with words, but seep into silence, touching the deepest parts of the human soul.

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Dawn of Hope

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

Morning light

wipes away the traces of night

Time flows endlessly

though I wish it would stop

like an image captured by a camera lens

for just as the fruit on a tree is precious, so is life

like the moon rising in the night

So are you, my love, whatever happens

wherever you are, I keep you in my heart

since I fell in love with you, your world has changed

because two hearts found a home full of tenderness

sunlight plays upon the strings of love

illuminating the dawn of hope.

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Waiting for the Bus

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

I am waiting for the bus

Many buses pass through the station

They head to different cities

But none takes me where I want to go

I am still waiting, from winter to spring

No one cares about those waiting for the bus

They walk, or they run

I wait from darkness until dawn

Trees hibernate and awaken,

so do birds

This city has slept for thousands of years

Only a few stars remain awake

I don’t know how far the place I long for is

I keep waiting for the bus.

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An Empty Glass

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

A glass full of spring water appears before me

It is part of my body.

I try to drink from it,

But as I try,

The glass is empty.

Where did the water go

in such a short time?

Is existence

just a glass of water?

This is mystery, this is confusion.

What happened?

Yesterday, I was here at the same time

and filled the glass.

Would the water not disappear

if I stayed here?

Is my mind trapped in the glass

or…?

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About Anna Keiko and Her Work

Anna Keiko is a poet and essayist from Shanghai, China, who has made a significant mark in the world of contemporary literature. A graduate of East China University in Shanghai with a degree in law, her work has reached global audiences—translated into over 30 languages and published in more than 500 journals, magazines, and platforms across 40 countries.

With a deep dedication to literature, Anna founded and leads the ACC Shanghai Huifeng Literary Association. She also serves as China’s representative and director for the Ithaca International Cultural Foundation. Actively involved in international literary communities such as Immagine & Poesia in Italy and the Canadian-Cuban Literary Union, she fosters cultural friendship through poetry.

She has published six poetry collections, including Lonely in the Blood and Absurd Language—works that explore the bitterness of human experience, the unrest with nature, and the search for meaning amid life’s absurdities. Her honest, imaginative, and empathetic style has earned her prestigious international accolades, such as the 30th International Poetry Award in Italy and the World Peace Ambassador Certificate in 2024.

In 2023, Anna became the first Chinese recipient of the Cross-Cultural Exchange Medal for Significant Contribution to World Poetry in the United States—a distinction she carries with humility. Her poems, such as Octopus Bones and others, not only captivate readers but also open doors for her to participate in global festivals and literary gatherings.

Beyond poetry, Anna also writes prose, essays, song lyrics, and plays, showcasing her broad love for the written word.

Anna Keiko continues her quiet literary journey, weaving words, kindling hope, and offering works that touch the hearts of many souls.

West Sumatra, 2025